Javy Baez had a three-run double as the Chicago Cubs scored nine times in the eighth inning on just three hits, rallying past the wild Atlanta Braves 14-10 Saturday in cold, wet and windy conditions at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs trailed 9-1 in the third inning, were still down 10-2 in the sixth and went into the eighth behind 10-5. Chicago then used five walks, two hit batters, an error and a wild pitch to come back against four Atlanta relievers — all nine runs scored after there were two outs.
Baez drove in four runs, with his bases-clearing double making it 10-all. Ben Zobrist had three hits and two RBIs for the Cubs.
Ozzie Albies had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs for the Braves. Dansby Swanson and Nick Markakis had two hits and two RBIs apiece for Atlanta.
Despite a temperature of 38 degrees, a 24 mph. wind and a steady midst at the start, the decision was made to play mainly because this was Atlanta's only visit to Chicago and the forecast for Sunday was worse.
Jason Heyward led off the Cubs eighth by getting hit by a pitch from Luke Jackson and pinch hitter Tommy La Stella singled with one out. Right-hander Jose Ramirez fanned Efren Navarro for the second out, but hit Kris Bryant to load the bases. Willson Contreras followed with an infield hit that made it 10-6 and Ben Zobrist walked to force home another run.
Baez followed with his double to left-center to clear the bases for a tie at 10. After Addison Russell was walked intentionally, lefty Sam Freeman walked Heyward to load the bases again. Freeman then walked Schwarber and LaStella to plate two more runs and give Chicago a 12-10 lead.
Chicago Baseball
Atlanta made another pitching change, bringing in right-hander Peter Moylan. A wild pitch scored a run and another scored on a throwing error by catcher Kurt Suzuki.
